Fuel feeder



E. v. FRANCIS.

Dec. 21, 1937.

FUEL FEEDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1933 f/vvE/vToR: Ear/e Fran c/s ATT'Y Dec. 21, 1937. E. v. FRANCIS 2,102,619

FUEL FEEDER Filed July 28, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I4 I f/y VENTOR iar/e V F/ an c/s Patented Dec. 21, 1 937 2 402.net

EXTENT FFICE FEEDER Earle V. Francis, Columbus, Ohio, 'assignor to 'The Jefirey Manufacturing Company; a corporation of Ohio itpg iication July as, 1933, Serial 682,680

14 Claims.

verized coal over other forms of fuel available for such automatic systemsv is increasing 'in popu- I larity by virtue of the comparatively low cost of the fuel andeconorny in the operation of such systems.

The present invention dealsrwith a form of apparatus usable in, connection with a system employed for burning pulverized solid fuel, such as powdered coal, and the invention relates more Qnfespecially to the provision :of a storage hopper for the powdered fuel in which hopper'is incorporated mechanism for properly feeding the fuel into the burner instrumentalities employed for the actual'combustion of the coal. One of the V principal problems involved in installations of this character lies in the proper rate of feed of fuel to the burner, so that neither an excess nor deficiency of fuel supply will result.

One of the objects of the present invention therefore is the provision of fuel storage and feeding instrumentalities which will deliver the fuel at the proper rate of speed for efiicient combustion, and which will maintain the stored body of fuel in condition to be delivered in an efiicient 3, manner to the burner.

A further object of the invention which may be mentioned specifically is the provision of improved feeding instrumentalities by means of which the fuel may be transferred from the main stored body the outlet in regulated quantities for discharge to the burner, these being provided also with simplified means for adjusting the regulating mechanism by which this transfer is effected. 45 Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The present invention may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which 50 Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus embracing the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, showing, in dotted lines, mechanism for agitating and feeding the powdered mat ia r n a ned i th ap a atus, to-

til

gether with the arrangement of drive instrumentalities therefor.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the drive mechanism the view being taken on the line 3.,3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus of Fig. 1, the view being taken on a vertical axis looking in the direction of the arrows of line 4-4 of Fig. 2, a part of the apparatus being broken away to better accommodate the View to the sheet of drawing. r

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of apart of the scraper blade shifting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the shifting mechanism taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Re e r n m partic l to h d n A indicates a hopper for receiving and storing pulv ize at a uch as po d d c r he i h a hop r b i provid d with f e mechanism, which will be hereinafter described in detail, which mechanism is positioned in suitbl c m ar m nt Q e tiqns o h o e an which is actuated by suitable driving instrumene talities.

It will be seen from the drawings that the hopper A is substantially funnel-shaped, and opens into a compartment B, which communicates with a lower compartment c, into which the material passes to take its discharge position, it being ejected from this compartment into a suitable combustion chamber, not shown, where it is burned. Suitable means, to be later pointed out in detail, are provided for effecting the discharge. The driving instrumentalities for the feed mechanism whereby the fuel is delivered from the hopper to the discharge means, is housed in compartment D, the discharge means being located in the compartment E. 40

It will be seen that the hopper A, is provided with a cover I, having an intake opening 2 through which the hopper A is filled with pulverized material, such as, for example, powdered coal. The opening 2 is surrounded by an annu-. lar upstanding flange 3;, provided with a cover 4, which is removable, of course, for filling the hopper A. The cover I of the hop er Ais provideo] with an opening for receiving the tubular member 5 which defines a central shaft extende ing vertically substantially through the hopper A. The tube 5.31s provided adjacent its upper 4 end with a spacer I through which is passed a hollow shaft 8 for effecting adjustment of certain of the feeding instrumentalities as will be mentioned in greater detail hereinafter.

The lower end of the tube 5 is flared as shown at 9 to receive a truncated conical portion lea of the feeder plate casting I 3. The portion Ida carries the substantially U-shaped stirring arms H which are welded or otherwise secured to the portion 10a; An annular groove [2 in the upper end of the conical portion [0a receives the felt or other sealing medium 53, whereby a seal is effected between the shaft 6 and the hopper A. Another seal is effected by the felt l3a inserted in a groove [2a, in the annular flange 55b, which flange is integral with and below the plate iii, the said felt wiping against the surface 27a, of the casting 27 as the feeder plate rotates.

The feeder plate H], integral with the arms I4 and hub I5, is keyed to the upper end of Shaft 16 and rotates therewith. A worm gear ll having the hub I8 is also keyed to the shaft l5 and is positioned in the compartment D. The shaft l6 has its lower end journaled in the bushing I9 of the bearing 20a, which bearing is in-' tegral with the casting 20. The intermediate and upper portions of the shaft [6 are journaled in the bushings 2! and 22 of the upwardly projecting bearing 23, which is integral with the casting 21.

Between the hub i5 of the feeder plate l6 and the bushing 22 of the bearing 23 there is located a thrust bearing 24.

It will be seen that hopper A opens into the compartment B through a port 25 formed in the feeder plate in. Compartment B is formed of a pair of castings 26 and 21, secured together by bolts 28 having nuts 29 thereon. Between the castings 26 and 21 is a groove in which plate it rotates. The casting 21 extends downwardly to form the wall 35 for the compartment C and also the top 3! of the compartment D. The bearing 23 is also an integral part of this same casting.

Between compartments B and C there is the communicating opening 32, discharge of coal through which is controlled by an adjustable deflector plow or scraper blade 33, having an upstanding arm 34 in engagement with the lever 35. The scraper blade 33 is pivotally mounted on a pin 33a positioned in a lug lilo integral with feeder plate casting I0. The annular flange I027 is interrupted to form an opening Hid, through which the scraper blade 33 is positioned and also through which the powdered fuel must pass to be discharged through the central port 32.

The lever 35 terminates in a sleeve 36 around the shaft 8, sleeve 35 being interconnected with the shaft 8 by a pin 31 operating in a special groove 33 in the sleeve 36, whereby vertical movement of the shaft 8 effects adjustment of the blade 33 to vary the feed of powdered coal through the opening 32 into the compartment C. From this compartment the coal is withdrawn by suction created by a fan 39 in the fan compartment E, and thereby ejected from the compartment C through pipe 4! into a suitable burner nozzle 55 adapted to extend into a combustion chamber, not shown.

The tubular Shaft 5 serves as an air intake for fan 39, which fan is driven by a suitable motor, not shown, connected to the shaft 4 I. The motor serves also to drive shaft 16 and feeder plate H), by means of worm 42,'meshing with gear 43, which is fixed to the shaft 43a and on which shaft is fixed a worm 43?), which in turn meshes with gear IT. The shaft 43a. is journaled in the casting 20. Worm 42 is mounted on a shaft 44, which carries a sheave 45, actuated in turn by a V-belt 45, driven by sheave 4'! on shaft 4i. It will be understood that the motor operates only when a fresh supply of the powdered fuel is needed in the furnace, and the operation of the motor may be governed by a thermostatic control system.

From the above description, it will be seen that actuation of the motor drives the feeder plate Hi, the arms H attached thereto serving to stir the mass of powdered coal and to prevent the same from becoming caked. The powdered coal falls through port 25 in plate ll! onto the upper surface 27a of casting 27, being distributed over this latter surface by the rotation of plate ill, from which it is swept through port 32 by scraper 33 rotating with shaft [6, since shaft 8 is interconnected with the extension |6a of the shaft l6 through a pin 48 positioned in slot 49 in shaft 8. Therefore, sleeve 36, lever 35, upstanding arm 34, and scraper 33 are rotative with the shaft i5. As has been previously indicated, the amount of fuel fed throughideflector, port 32 is determined by the adjustment of the plow or scraper blade 33. This adjustment must be made with some care, owing to the intense heat developed by the combustion of powdered coal, care being therefore required that excess coal is not delivered into the discharge compartment C, and when the proper adjustment of the blade 33 is obtained for satisfactory operation of the mechanism with a given quantity of fuel, this adjustment need not be disturbed until some change in combustion conditions calls for a new adjustment. This adjustment is effected by the spiral groove 38 and pin 37 in sleeve 36 and shaft 8 respectively as has been previously indicated, acting in conjunction with regulating instrumentalities now to be described.

These regulating instrumentalities include a shifting collar indicated at 5B interconnecting the rotative shaft 8 with lever 5 i. It will be seen that the collar 53 is provided with lugs 52 which are supported in slots 53 in the end of lever 5!, the collar 59 extending under the head 5411 connected by a vertical stem to a plug 54 fixed in the end of shaft 8, so that vertical movement may be imparted to the shaft by rocking lever 5| about its pivotal support 55 formed on up.- standing arm 56 mounted on the hopper cover I.

The arc through which lever 5! rocks is determined by the adjustment of the nuts 59 along the threaded rod 5?. This rod extends loosely through a boss 53 carried by lever 5!, said boss being held by the nuts 59 in its adjusted position. The threaded rod 5'? is secured te oris integral with a plunger 65a projecting downwardly into the solenoid Bil mounted on cover 5 of the hopper A. The solenoid 50 is wired to operate with the ignition system of the furnace, that is, while the ignition system is functioning, the solenoid is energized, thereby imparting a downward movement to the rod 5'! and also an upward movement to the shaft 8 by means of the lever 55. In Fig. 4 the leads to the solenoid 60 are designated 63 and 54. In Fig. 1 the leads to terminals of the electric spark gap in the burner nozzle 65 are designated 53 and 84. It should be understood that the electric ignition device comprises a primary winding of a Ruhmkorif coil which is in series with the solenoid 53, and

vthe secondary winding of the Ruhmkorfi" coil is connected by means of the lead 63', 64' to the terminals of the spark gapshown in Fig. 1.

The upwardmovement of the shaft 8 imparts a clockwise movement to the scraper '33 about its pin 33a as viewed in Fig. 5. -'Iherefore, when the solenoid is energized, the scraper will be moved from its running feed position .6! to the maximum feed position 62. 'Ihis'last mentioned feed position of the scraper will be held-until the solenoid'is de-energized by thebreaking of the ignition circuit, when the scraper will be returned to its running feeding position which is set at a predetermined feed by the nuts 59. A spring 51a is positioned between the upper nut 59 and the boss 53 carried by the 'arm 5| to protect the mechanism from breakage should the scraper33 be set to its maximum open position for a running feed It should be understood that the screw-thread ed rod 5'! extends freely through an opening in the boss 38 so that when the solenoid is energized and its plunger pulled down, the rodfil will compress the spring 5ia to transmit movement to the lever 5| and thereby lift the shaft 8, and

when this occurs the pin 31 shown in Fig. 6 will move along a vertical straight line. By reason of the pin 31 moving in the slot 38, the arm 35 will be moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 and this will cause the scraper 33 to be moved from its running position 3! to its starting position 62. If the running position should be set at 62 when the solenoid 60 is deenergized, the spring 51a will protect the mechanism from breakage. This protection is afforded by reason of the fact that when the scraper is in its dotted line position Mat the time'when the solenoid is energized it bears against the inner cylindrical wall of the compartment B, and there fore such cylindrical wall acts as an abutment to prevent downward movement of the shaft 8 when a force is exerted to move downwardly to engages the inner cylindrical wall of the compartment B before the plunger of the solenoid 58 moves down to its full extent, the spring 51a will becompre ssed againstthe boss 53 to protect the connections between the latter and the scraper against breakage or undue strain. When the solenoid is de-energized, the tension spring em restores the scraper 33 to its running position 6!, and the lever 5! will be held in a position predetermined by the adjustments of the nuts 59, 59 as explained above, with the plunger 53a in, its upper position. 7 I

' Therefore, by movement of the nuts along rod 51, the vertical movement imparted to shaft 8 through the lever 5! may be governed as desired, as will be obvious; and each time that the adjustment of nuts 53 is changed, a corresponding change in position of blade 33 is accomplished, a lifting of shaft 8 causing the'pin 3'! to rotate the sleeve iifi by reason of the spiral grooves 33, 38 therein, so as to swing the blade 33 outwardly, thereby increasing the amount of fuel fed through the port 32.

A lowering of the shaft 8 causes a reverse adjustment of blade 33, thus decreasing the amount of fuel to pass through port 32. As has been previously mentioned also, blade 33 acts on the fuel passed through port 25 to feed the said fuel through port 32 into discharge chamber C whence it is discharged by blower 39. An accurate control of the fuel fed by the mechanism herein described therefore may be accomplished.

The system of control of the operation of the drive for the plate I0 and of the actuation of solenoid B0 is described in the co-pending application of Earle V. Francis, Ser. No.- 652,347, filed January 18, 1933, and it will be understood that the solenoid 33 becomes energized incident to the initiation of each period of fuel supply to the furnace, thereby actuating the blade 33 relative to plate It so as to cause the plate to feed additional fuel through port 32 at the start of each combustion period in order that the fuel mixture may be enriched at the time ignition thereof is started. In other words, the action of the solenoid is such that it is energized simultaneously with the operation of the ignition or starting period, so as to throw the blade 33 from position (if to position 62 and holding the blade in such position during the time the solenoid 60 is energized; and when the solenoid 60 becomes deenergized, spring 57a returns the arm 5| to its original position, which restores blade 33 to its running position 61. During the intervals between energization of the solenoid 50, the shaft 8 simply rotates with shaft l 6. It will be understood, of course, that sleeve 33 fits loosely around the shaft 8.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein diuclosed.

Having thus described and. shown an embodi ment of my invention, what I desire to have secured by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a heating apparatus, the combination with a feeding device for pulverized fuel includ ing a hopper for receiving the fuel, of mechanism for feeding the fuel from the hopper into an ejecting position, the said mechanism comprising a rotatable supporting member, agitating means mounted on the supporting member for maintaining a zone of agitated fuel as the supporting member rotates, a feeder plate also mounted on the supporting member and rotative therewith, the said plate having a port therethrough, a second plate below the feeder plate for receiving fuel from the said feeder plate, and also having a port for passing fuel into ejecting position, a scraper associated with the said second plate and rotative with the supporting member for directing fuel through the port of the said second plate, and driving mechanism for the said supporting member and parts carried thereby.

2. Apparatus for burning pulverized fuel comprising the combination with a hopper and means for delivering the fuel from the hopper including feeding mechanism, a shaft, a spiral groove in the shaft and a pin operating in the groove and connecting the feeding mechanism to the shaft, and mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the shaft relative to the hopper for rotatively moving the feeding mechanism incident to displacement of the shaft.

3. In feeding apparatus forpulverized fuel, the combination with a hopper, of a rotatable supporting device, a stationary receiving plate having a delivery port in the center thereof, a feed plate mounted on said support to rotate therewith and provided with a port for passage of material from said hopper to said stationary plate, a pivoted scraper carried by said support in position to move along the upper surface of said stationary plate, and means for adjusting the position of said scraper on its pivot to move the outer 75 end of said scraper toward or from said delivery port.

4. A powdered fuel feeder comprising the combination with a fuel hopper for receiving powdered fuel, of feeding mechanism comprising a rotary feed plate and a scraper pivoted to the underside thereof, and means operable axially of the feed plate for adjusting the position of .said scraper on its pivot relative to said feed plate.

5. In apparatus for feeding pulverized fuel,

the combination with av hopper, of feeding mechanism connected thereto and comprising a rotary feed plate with a scraper adjustably mounted thereon to rotate bodily therewith, and means for adjusting the position of said scraper relative to said feed plate irrespective of the position of the latter relative to said hopper.

6. A powdered fuel feeder comprising the combination with a fuel hopper for receiving powdered fuel, feeding mechanism for delivering fuel from the hopper to a predetermined position, said feeding mechanism comprising a deflector supported for bodily rotation on a predetermined axis, and means operable on said axis and extending eccentrically thereof to said deflector to adjust the position thereof for regulation of the quantity of fuel fed by said feeding mechanism.

7. A powdered fuel feeder comprising the combination with a fuel hopper for receiving powdered fuel, of feeding mechanism operable on a predetermined axis comprising, a deflector pivoted eccentrically of said axis, and means operable on said axis and connected to said deflector for adjusting the same on its eccentric pivot.

8. A powdered fuel feeder comprising the com bination with a fuel hopper for receiving powdered fuel, of feeding mechanism for feeding fuel from the hopper to a predetermined position, said feeding mechanism being operable on a predetermined axis and comprising a deflector pivoted eccentrically of said axis, and means for adjusting the deflector on its pivot and holding the same in adjusted position for bodily rotation bination with a fuel hopper for receiving powdered fuel, of feeding mechanism operable on a predetermined axis and comprising 'a deflector pivoted eccentrically of said axis, means operable longitudinally of said axis for adjusting said deflector on its eccentric pivot, and mechanism coacting with said adjusting means for effecting bodily rotation of said deflector on said axis while held in adjusted position.

10. Feeding apparatus for pulverized fuel comprising a rotary member mounted on a shaft and a deflector mounted eccentrically of the axis of said shaft, an actuator comprising a'coupling to said shaft to compel said actuator to rotate with said shaft but permitting longitudinal movement of said actuator relative to said shaft and means connected between said actuator and said deflector and comprising pin and spiral slot connections for adjusting the relative position of said actuator and. holding the same in adjusted position for bodily rotation with said shaft.

11. Apparatus for feeding pulverized fuel comprising a shaft and a rotary feeding device mounted thereon to rotate therewith, a deflector pivoted to said'rotary feeding device eccentrically of said shaft, an actuator coupled to said shaft to rotate therewith but having a longitudinal movement relatively to said shaft, and means comprising a pin and spiral slot connection between said actuator and said eccentrically pivoted deflector for adjusting the latter on its pivot relative to said feeding device and holding the same in adjusted position for bodily rotation with said feeding device and said shaft.

12. In feeding apparatus for comminuted fuel,

the combination with a hopper for receiving the fuel, of a rotatable supporting member, a feeder plate mounted on said supporting member to rotate therewith, the said plate having a port extending therethrough, a second plate spaced below said feeder plate in position to receive fuel from said feeder plate through said port therein, said second plate having a port for delivering fuel to ejecting position, a deflector associated with said second plate and mounted to rotate with said supporting member for directing fuel to and through said delivery port, and driving mechanism for the said supporting member and the feed plate and deflector rotatable therewith.

13. Apparatus for feeding pulverized fuel comprising a rotary support, an annular feed plate carried thereby for rotation therewith and having a port for receiving pulverized fuel, a circular bearing for the periphery ofsaid annular feed plate, a stationary receiving plate spaced below said annular feed plate and having a delivery port extending therethrough, a deflector carried by said rotary support for bodily rotation therewith in the space between said plates for directme pulverized 'fuel passing through said firstnamed port for delivery to said second-named port.

14. Apparatus for feeding pulverized fuel comprising a rotary device connected to a shaft to rotate on a predetermined axis and a deflector pivoted to said rotary device eccentrically of said axis, an actuator coupled to said rotary device to rotate therewith on said axis but permitting longitudinal movement of said actuator relative to said rotary device, an arm extending radially from said actuator. and connected to said deflector, and means operable by longitudinal movement of said actuator relative to said rotary device for adjusting the position of said deflector and holding the same in adjusted position for bodily rotation on said axis.

EARLE V. FRANCIS. 

